Greece: 

Greek grooms are pampered on 

their wedding day as they relax while their 

best man shaves their face and their future 

mother-in-law feeds them honey and 

almonds. 

Japan:

 

American brides traditionally 

wear a white dress. A Japanese bride 

having a traditional Shinto ceremony is 

completely decked out in white from head 

to toe, including being painted pure white 

and wearing a white hood to hide her 

“horns of jealousy” she may feel toward 

her new mother-in-law.

Norway:

 

Jingle all the way. Norwegian 

brides skip the tiaras and go straight for 

crowns. Traditional silver and gold with 

small hanging charms, the bride makes 

jingling sounds as she moves, deflecting 

evil spirits.

Russia: 

Newlyweds take a bite out of 

life by sharing a wedding sweetbread 

called karavaya, decorated with wheat for 

prosperity and cooked 

in interlocking rings to 

represent faithfulness. 

Without using their hands 

the couple each takes 

a bite of this treat and 

whoever takes the biggest 

bite is considered the head 

of the family. 

India:

 

Traditional 

Indian weddings can last 

days and are surrounded 

by many rituals and 

ceremonies, including the 

Mehendi Ceremony when 

the bride’s palms, wrists, arms, legs and 

feet are decorated.

West Africa: 

In the West African 

country of Niger there are more than 

guests dancing at the reception in the 

desert, there’s a rhythmic dance done by 

camels to the sounds of drums beating.

Jamaica: 

Jamaican brides have to 

develop a thick skin and be ready for 

judgment on their wedding day. The 

entire village pitches in to help plan the 

wedding, but they also get to contribute 

their input on the bride’s appearance. The 

townspeople line the streets to view the 

bride and will publically criticize her if they 

don’t approve.

Germany: 

At German wedding 

celebrations friends and neighbors break 

dishes for good luck. The newlyweds 

clean up the mess together, symbolizing 

that they can overcome 

anything by working as a 

team.

Czech Republic: 

Forget the bachelorette 

party, the bride’s friends 

plant a tree in her yard 

before the wedding and 

decorate it with ribbons 

and painted eggshells. 

The legend is that the 

bride will live as long as 

the tree. Here’s to hoping 

your friends have a green 

thumb!

Cuba: 

The dress in the most important 

aspect in a Cuban wedding and they 

believe that bigger is always better! Cuban 

brides are channeling the 1980’s with 

extravagant dresses adorned with ruffles 

and full skirts. To offset the costly wedding, 

when men dance with the bride they pin 

money to her dress to help the couple pay 

for their honeymoon.

Wales: 

At American weddings, whoever 

catches the bouquet is the next woman to 

be married. In Wales, brides are kidnapped 

by their families just before the wedding 

and the groom and his family follow in 

pursuit. Whoever rescues the damsel in 

distress will be the next to get married. 

Papua New Guinea: 

Newlyweds 

release a pair of white doves, representing 

a harmonious life together for the happily 

married couple.

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